The late-game ''M-V-P!'' chants are now the norm in Portland for LaMarcus Aldridge, and the Trail Blazers' forward is putting up numbers worthy of such adulation. He's leading the way for a surprising Portland team that sits atop the Western Conference with a 19-4 record. It's the Blazers' best start since they opened the 1990-91 season 21-2. The latest victory came Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, 111-104. More...